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2016 NFL Draft: 5 Late-Round Prospects the 49ers Should Target

By Jerod Brown

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the stage before the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the stage before the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 24, 2015; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Cardale Jones (12) prior to the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at High Points Solutions Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim O
Oct 24, 2015; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Cardale Jones (12) prior to the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at High Points Solutions Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim O /

Cardale Jones-Quarterback-Ohio State 

Before the 2015 college football season, some were discussing Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones as one of the best prospects in the nation. Unfortunately, he had a rocky season and now sits as a late-round prospect come April.

The worry with Jones has nothing to do with his measureables. The kid is big–6’5” and 249 pounds–and has a cannon for an arm. The issue with Jones is that he has such limited game experience in college that the tape on him is inconsistent.

Draft the kid with time to learn, and he could be the next starting quarterback to come from the later rounds.

Jones burst onto the scene in the college football playoffs of the 2014 season. He was the third-string quarterback for Ohio State and, after injuries to the others, found himself starting the National Championship game.

At that point, many assumed Jones had earned the starting spot for 2015 and could begin to solidify his draft profile. Jones’ season didn’t go as planned and he ended the year as the backup to starter J.T. Barrett. Now, he’ll enter the NFL Draft looking to capitalize on the hype that was surrounding him in the beginning of 2015.

Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports discussed what Jones’ and others can expect once the quarterback declared for the draft.

Miller has Jones ranked 178th on his Top 300 and that feels fair. At this point, any team that drafts Jones is betting on his future production. Quite simply, without at least a season’s worth of tape on him, it’s hard to project what kind of player he’ll be at the next level.

Teams thought that Jones might have entered the draft last year and, as such, they began to evaluate him. Walter Football‘s Charlie Campbell compiled some notes on Jones as he entered last season. 

Some highlights of Campbell’s piece are a scout comparing Jones to a slightly less athletic Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers, as well as mentioning that Jones has athleticism and quickness to make plays on the ground. Jones will have to develop as an NFL leader but his physical skills are evident.

For an excellent piece on Jones’ raw potential, check out Inside the Pylon writer Mark Schofield’s analysis.

Should the 49ers pass on a quarterback early, Jones could be a late-round target that offers a chance to strike gold. Just a year ago, some scouts considered Jones a top prospect. The 49ers could capitalize on the obvious skill that Jones possesses.

Next: Playing Next to Bowman